IOP Concise Physics

From Astronomy to Quantum Computing, Concise Physics publishes short texts in over 30 distinct areas of physics. These books provide readers with a snapshot of current research, an introduction to key principles, a look back at historical events and people, and even delve into issues surrounding effective teaching methods. These books are aimed at researchers, students, teachers, and anyone interested in physics at all levels. The books are available for individuals in print and e-book format on this site.

An Introduction to Chemical KineticsClaire VallanceThe book is a short primer on chemical reaction rates based on a six-lecture first-year undergraduate course taught by the author at the University of Oxford. The book explores the various factors that determine how fast or slowly a chemical reaction...Publication Date: October, 2017

Semiconductor Integrated Optics for Switching LightCharlie IronsideThis book covers the technology of switching or modulating light in semiconductor optical waveguides. Currently a key function for optical communications systems is the conversion of data from an electrical signal to an optical signal for transmissio...Publication Date: September, 2017

Radiative Properties of SemiconductorsN.M. Ravindra, Sita Rajyalaxmi Marthi, Asahel BanobreOptical properties, particularly in the infrared range of wavelengths, continue to be of enormous interest to both material scientists and device engineers. The need for the development of standards for data of optical properties in the infrared rang...Publication Date: August, 2017

Beyond CurieScott CalvinIn the 116 year history of the Nobel Prize in physics, only two women have won the award; Marie Curie (1903) and Maria Mayer (1963). During the sixty years between those awards, several women did work in physics of similar caliber including Cecilia P...Publication Date: August, 2017

Physics and the EnvironmentKyle ForinashPhysics and the Environment directly connects the physical world to environmental issues that the world is facing today and will face in the future. It shows how the first and second laws of thermodynamics limit the efficiencies of fossil fuel energ...Publication Date: July, 2017

Spiral Structure in GalaxiesMarc S. SeigarA spiral galaxy is a type of galaxy originally described by Edwin Hubble in his 1936 work The Realm of Nebulae and, as such, forms part of the Hubble sequence. Spiral galaxies consist of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas and dust, a...Publication Date: July, 2017

The Electric Dipole Moment ChallengeRichard TalmanWith the Higgs particle just confirmed, a remaining blemish of the standard model of elementary particle physics is the excess of particles over antiparticles in the present-day universe, which could be due the existence of symmetry violation much gr...Publication Date: May, 2017

The Manhattan ProjectB. Cameron ReedThe development of nuclear weapons by the Manhattan Project during World War II was one of the most dramatic scientific/technological episodes in human history. This book, prepared by a recognized expert on the Manhattan Project, offers a concise sur...Publication Date: May, 2017

Sterile Neutrino Dark MatterAlexander MerleThis book is a new look at one of the hottest topics in contemporary science, Dark Matter. It is the pioneering text dedicated to sterile neutrinos as candidate particles for Dark Matter, challenging some of the standard assumptions which may be true...Publication Date: May, 2017

Concepts in Physical MetallurgyLavakumar AvalaThe progress of civilization can be, in part, attributed to their ability to employ metallurgy. This book is an introduction to multiple facets of physical metallurgy, materials science, and engineering. As all metals are crystalline in structure, i...Publication Date: May, 2017

Nuclear PowerDavid ElliottThis book looks at the early history of nuclear power, at what happened next, and at its longer-term prospects. The main question is: can nuclear power overcome the problems that have emerged? It was once touted as the ultimate energy source, freein...Publication Date: May, 2017

Lectures on Selected Topics in Mathematical PhysicsWilliam A. Schwalm This book provides an introduction to Lie Theory for first year graduate students and professional physicists who may not have come across the theory in their studies. In particular, it is a summary overview of the theory of finite groups, a brief de...Publication Date: May, 2017

The Physics of Thermoelectric Energy ConversionJulian GoldsmidThis book outlines the principles of thermoelectric generation and refrigeration from the discovery of the Seebeck and Peltier effects in the nineteenth century through the introduction of semiconductor thermoelements in the mid-twentieth century to ...Publication Date: May, 2017

The Universe UntangledAbigail PillitteriSpace curves around you, time slows down, particles are waves, a cat is both alive and dead. What's going on? It all starts to make sense when we untangle the universe with this clear and enlightening book. Day-dreamers and deep-thinkers, these are t...Publication Date: May, 2017

The Ringed PlanetJoshua ColwellIn September 2017, the Cassini spacecraft will point itself toward the atmosphere of Saturn and end its 13 year mission of solving many of the mysteries of the ringed planet's system with a crash. This book is a dramatic, beautifully illustrated jour...Publication Date: April, 2017

String Theory and the Real WorldGordon KaneThe aim of this book is to explain why "string theory" may provide the comprehensive underlying theory that describes and explains our world, perhaps fairly soon. Although such a claim might seem controversial to many, I hope to convince the reader ...Publication Date: March, 2017

Outside the Research Lab, Volume 1Sharon Ann HolgateThis book is written for students and other interested readers as a look inside the diverse range of applications for physics outside of the scientific research environment. This first volume covers several different areas of the arts and design rang...Publication Date: March, 2017

Electrostatic Phenomena on Planetary SurfacesCarlos I. CalleThe diverse planetary environments in the solar system react in somewhat different ways to the encompassing influence of the sun. These different interactions define the electrostatic phenomena that take place on and near planetary surfaces. The desi...Publication Date: March, 2017

Few artworks have been the subject of more extensive modern interpretation than Melencolia I by renowned artist, mathematician, and scientist Albrecht Durer (1514). And yet, ...Publication Date: January, 2017